WOMEN’S DAY: Grace AME Church in Warren will celebrate Women’s Day at 10:45 a.m. Sunday. The theme is “Mary’s Alabaster Box.” A special women’s day choir has been formed under the direction of Gloria Rodgers. The Rev. Leta M. Paramore will be the guest speaker. Paramore pastors at the Christ Centered Church along with her husband, Bishop Kenneth Paramore.

DISCIPLES EVENT: Harvest Point Church, 2121 Salt Springs Road, Lordstown, will host Brunch With the Disciples from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 23. Kids, youth and families are invited to meet and talk with the disciples.

PASTORAL PLAN: Bishop David Bonnar is extending an invitation to discuss the Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Youngstown 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today. The gathering at St. Michael Parish will begin with Mass in Spanish at 10 a.m. in the church. This will be followed by a time for dialogue and a question-and-answer session in the parish hall after Mass. Bonnar encourages parishioners to make an effort to participate in the second Diocesan Hispanic Summit.

MISSIONARIES VISIT CHURCH: Mike and Nancy Mahon have been members of South America Mission since June 1989. Assigned to the SAMAIR Peru Aviation program in the jungle rainforest partion of Peru near its border with Brazil, the Mahons arrived in this part of Peru in late October of 1991 to begin their first term. Champion Presbyterian Church has partnered with the Mahons and SAMAIR Peru since 1989. They will share information about their ministry with a “Moment for Mission” during the worship service at 10 a.m. Sunday at Champion Presbyterian Church, Mahoning Avenue Extension (state Route 45), and Champion Street.

NEW PASTOR: Leavittsburg Church of the Nazarene installed the Rev. Carol Myers as its new pastor in February. Myers has served as the church’s associate pastor since 2017. Revival services with Billy Huddleston will be 6 p.m. March 17 and 6:30 p.m. March 18 to 20.

INSTRUMENTS OF PRAISE: New Bethel Baptist Church, 1507 Hillman St., Youngstown, will host “Instruments of Praise: Sharing Our Story, Giving God the Glory” at 6 p.m. March 31. The resurrection concert will kick off the church’s 100th anniversary with an evening of praise and worship. Free registration can be made at Eventbrite.com or call 330-747-2125 to register.

POLISH SERVICE: St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown will host sessions of Gorzkie Zale and Benediction Service at 6 p.m. Wednesday and March 20 at the cathedral’s Sacred Heart Chapel. This ancient Polish Lenten tradition, translated as the “bitter lamentation” is a 45-minute bilingual prayer service and Catholic devotion containing hymns developed out of Poland in the 18th century.

The service consists of three parts, each offering a hymn and meditation on the Passion of Christ and a sympathetic dialogue between Him and the sorrows of His Blessed Mother, Mary. Celebrant will be the Rev. Joseph Rudjak, retired priest from the Youngstown Diocese, who served as pastor of SS. Peter and Paul in Youngstown. Music accompaniment will be provided by Luke Politsky.

CEMETERY SERVICES: Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services of the Diocese of Youngstown will offer the Chaplet of Divine Mercy Prayer Service in the chapels of the four cemeteries at 3 p.m. Fridays through Lent at alternating locations: March 15, All Souls Cemetery Chapel, Bazetta; and March 22, Calvary Cemetery Chapel in Massillon.

JOURNEY TO HEALING: Journey Toward Healing, an eight-week grief support group hosted by the Rev. John Bower, chaplain, will be at 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday through March 19 at Tabernacle Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 2432 S. Raccoon Road, Austintown. Registration is required by calling 330-899-0180 or jbower@harmonycares.com.

LUCK OF THE IRISH: St Stephen Church in Niles will host its annual Luck of the Irish fundraiser at 5:30 p.m. March 16 at Cimineros’ Banquet Centre in Niles. The grand prize is $3,000. The event is open to the public. There will be games, prizes, and silent and basket auctions. Tickets are $60 per person and includes the raffle and a buffet dinner. Cost for just the raffle is $40. For tickets, call the rectory at 330-652-4396.

CHURCH STARTS PROGRAM: Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2742 North Road SE, Warren, is starting a new ministry called Katherine’s Closet, which serves women and families in need. Donations to fill the closet are being taken. The community can help by contributing monetary donations for diapers, wipes, and infant and toddler clothes. Donation day is 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. March 18. For information, call 330-647-6402.

CAHILL IN CONCERT: Irish tenor Emmet Cahill, star of PBS’ “Celtic Thunder,” will perform live in concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Columba Cathedral, 154 W. Wood St., Youngstown. General admission tickets are $35. Special meet-and-greet tickets that include the concert are $50 and will be at 6 p.m. in the church hall, 159 W. Rayen Ave., across from the church. Proceeds benefit St. Columba Parish.

ZENTANGLE: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center will offer Zentangle with Paulette Kirschensteiner 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 16. Zentangle is an easy-to-learn, relaxing and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. No art experience is needed to participate. All supplies will be provided. Cost is $65, which Includes program, lunch and supplies. Program information and registration are available at vmesc.org or call 724-964-8886.

CATHOLIC SISTERS WEEK: The Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown will mark Catholic Sisters Week now through Thursday, with a series of social media posts highlighting their ministry. The Ursuline Sisters are celebrating 150 years of ministry in the Mahoning Valley this year. The sisters are marking the milestone in a variety of ways, including an exhibit at the Tyler History Center, Youngstown.

photo- Mary Fiala

AWARD PRESENTATION: Mary Fiala, who has served the Diocese of Youngstown for more than four decades, will be honored with the National Catholic Educational Association’s Lifetime Commitment to Catholic Education Awards at a ceremony April 1 in Pittsburgh.

The annual celebration honors outstanding educators, leaders and organizations who have made extraordinary contributions to the mission of Catholic education.

Fiala has been superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Youngstown for the past decade. She joined the diocesan staff in 2011 as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. In addition, Fiala served as principal at SS. Philip and James School in Canal Fulton and St. Joan of Arc School in Canton from 1991 to 2011. Prior to being named principal, Fiala was a teacher at St. Paul School in North Canton for 12 years.

EUCHARISTIC MIRACLES: In response to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops launching of the three-year Eucharistic Revival, which seeks to increase devotion and belief in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, the Knights of Columbus Charity Council No. 5063 of Kinsman and Andover will be displaying the International Eucharistic Miracles of the World Exhibit.

This exhibit, which was designed and created by Blessed Carlo Acutis, is composed of about 160 panels that include beautiful images and detailed descriptions of Eucharistic miracles that have occurred throughout the centuries in many countries around the world. This exhibit will be in Andover at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 481 S. Main St., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 16 and 17. It also will be in Kinsman at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 6367 state Route 87, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 23 and 24.There is no entrance fee for the exhibit.

This exhibit has been made possible through a Religious Education Enrichment Fund grant from the Diocese of Erie, Pennsylvania, as well as other donations, including from the Knights of Columbus Council No. 6037 of Conneaut Lake and Linesville, Pa.

VIRTUAL EVENT: Ten years ago, the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS) began marking Christian homes and churches with the Arabic letter “n” as its fighters overran parts of Iraq. The symbol (“n” for “Nazarene”) marked the buildings as belonging to Christians and served as a threat to all believers in the area. Hundreds of thousands of Christians fled the country, but where are they today? And what about those who stayed behind?

New Covenant Baptist Church, 1606 Salt Springs Rd., Lordstown, will be hosting The Voice of The Martyrs “I am N” Virtual Event at 6 p.m. Sunday.

The public is invited to hear inspiring testimonies of faith plus worship music from Steven Curtis Chapman.

There will be a time of fellowship and refreshments following the free event. For more information, call Pastor Jim 234-719-8461.

LEADERSHIP CHANGES: Thomas “Tommy” Aardema has been called to serve as the president of the Youngstown Ohio Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He succeeds Sidney Connor, who served as stake president for the past nine years, along with counselor Craig Wagley.

Aardema was sustained by the membership at the semiannual Youngstown Stake Conference on Jan. 28. Eric Clark of Mantua and Kenneth Earl of North Lima were called to serve as counselors. The three men preside over eight congregations within northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania, including Rootstown, Alliance, Youngstown, Lisbon, Warren, Hiram, New Castle and a Spanish-speaking congregation in Youngstown.

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SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at St Joseph Church in Austintown and 7 p.m. Thursday at St. James Church in North Jackson. The service will last an hour and will include scripture readings, songs, reflection and confession of sins.

NEW PASTOR: Leavittsburg Church of the Nazarene installed the Rev. Carol Myers as its new pastor in February. Myers served as the church’s associate pastor since 2017. Revival services with Billy Huddleston will be at 6 p.m. March 17 and 6:30 p.m. March 18 to 20.

CONCERT SET: St. Patrick Church, 1420 Oak Hill Ave., Youngstown, will host a choir concert at 1:15 p.m. Sunday. A freewill offering will be accepted.

SOPRANOS IN CONCERT: Christ Episcopal Church, 2627 Atlantic St. NE, Warren, will host the Three Sopranos in Concert at 4 p.m. Sunday. The free concert will feature sopranos Amanda Beagle, Eve McPherson and Brianna Samson.

INSTRUMENTS OF PRAISE: New Bethel Baptist Church, 1507 Hillman St., Youngstown, will host “Instruments of Praise: Sharing Our Story, Giving God the Glory” at 6 p.m. March 31. The resurrection concert will kick off the church’s 100th anniversary for an evening of praise and worship. Free registration can be made at Eventbrite.com or call 330-747-2125 to register.

FOOD COLLECTION: St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown will collect nonperishable food items to support the needs of its parish community and those at St. Edward Parish, also in Youngstown, this weekend. Donation bins will be located at the back and front entrances of the church. Anyone wanting to make a cash donation or donate a gift card to local grocery stores can place their donation in an envelope marked “food donation” and put it in the collection basket. The collection will take place the first weekend of every month.

POLISH SERVICE: St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown will host sessions of Gorzkie Zale and Benediction Service at 6 p.m. Wednesdays March 6, 13 and 20 at the cathedral’s Sacred Heart Chapel. This ancient Polish Lenten tradition, translated as the “bitter lamentation” is a 45-minute bilingual prayer service and Catholic devotion containing hymns developed out of Poland in the 18th century.

The service consists of three parts, each offering a hymn and meditation on the Passion of Christ and a sympathetic dialogue between Him and the sorrows of His Blessed Mother, Mary. Celebrant will be the Rev. Joseph Rudjak, retired priest from the Youngstown Diocese, who served as pastor of SS. Peter and Paul in Youngstown. Music accompaniment will be provided by Luke Politsky.

SPEAKER SERIES: First Presbyterian Church of Warren is hosting its first Sunday speaker series at 11:15 a.m. Sunday. Speaker is Kelly Younkins, owner / founder of Kelly Younkins Consulting, LLC. She is a licensed clinician, clinical supervisor, educator and consultant who has served in a variety of mental health roles since 2005. She also serves as a wellness consultant / coach. The topic will be “Cultivating Well Being” and will cover perspectives and practices that help create and maintain wellness — physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

CEMETERY SERVICES: Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services of the Diocese of Youngstown will offer the Chaplet of Divine Mercy Prayer Service in the chapels of the four cemeteries at 3 p.m. Fridays through Lent at alternating locations: first Friday of the month, Calvary Cemetery Chapel, Youngstown; second Friday, Resurrection Cemetery Chapel, Austintown; third Friday, All Souls Cemetery Chapel, Bazetta; and fourth Friday, Calvary Cemetery Chapel in Massillon.

JOURNEY TO HEALING: Journey Toward Healing, an eight-week grief support group hosted by the Rev. John Bower, chaplain, will be at 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday through March 19 at Tabernacle Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 2432 S. Raccoon Road, Austintown. Registration is required by calling 330-899-0180 or jbower@harmony

cares.com.

LUCK OF THE IRISH: St. Stephen Church in Niles will host its annual Luck of the Irish fundraiser 5:30 p.m. March 16 at Cimineros’ Banquet Centre in Niles. The grand prize is $3,000. The event is open to the public. Games, prizes and silent and basket auctions will be featured. Tickets are $60 per person and includes the raffle and a buffet dinner. Cost for just the raffle is $40. For tickets, call the rectory at 330-652-4396.

CHURCH STARTS PROGRAM: Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2742 North Road SE, Warren, is starting a new ministry called Katherine’s Closet, which serves women and families in need. Donations to fill the closet are being taken. The community can help by contributing monetary donations for diapers, wipes, and infant and toddler clothes. Two donation days are 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. March 4 and 18. For information, call 330-647-6402.

CAHILL IN CONCERT: Irish tenor Emmet Cahill, star of PBS’ “Celtic Thunder,” will perform live in concert at 7:30 p.m. March 14 at St. Columba Cathedral, 154 W. Wood St., Youngstown. General admission tickets are $35. Special meet-and-greet tickets that include the concert are $50 and will be at 6 p.m. in the church hall, 159 W. Rayen Ave., across from the church. Proceeds benefit St. Columba Parish.

SPEAKER SERIES: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center will offer the virtual series “Introduction to Psalms, Our First Prayer Book” with Rabbi Joseph Schonberger at 7 p.m. Wednesday via Zoom. The Zoom link will be available on the center’s website.

The program will be reviewing the 10 Psalms that Rabbi Nachman of Bratzlav and many others in the Jewish world have found helpful for their lives.

Schonberger is a child of Holocaust survivors and his extended family greatly influenced him to reinforce his spiritual identity. Since 1981, he has served two pulpits: Bangor, Maine and Youngstown. He has begun a new nonprofit, Tradition4u, with hopes of helping people recognize and actualize their higher purpose of reinforcing faith through learning, fellowship and helping others. He is available for Rabbinic,pastoral and interfaith services. A free-will offering will be accepted. Registration is not required.

Future dates in the series are April 3, May 1 and June 5.

TAIZE PRAYER: The Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center will host Taize Prayer at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Magnificat Chapel. Taize is a form a Christian prayer originating from the ecumenical Christian community of Taize in France. One is invited to rest in God through the singing of psalm verses and other simple chants, alternating with periods of silent reflection. Music ministers are Daniel Laginya and Barb Zorn. Future dates are May 7. The program is free. For information, call 724-964-8886 or visit vmesc.org.

ZENTANGLE: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center will offer Zentangle with Paulette Kirschensteiner 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 16. Zentangle is an easy-to-learn, relaxing and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. No art experience is needed to participate. All supplies will be provided. Cost is $65, which Includes program, lunch and supplies. Program information and registration are available at vmesc.org or call 724-964-8886.

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